USA > Indiana > Johnson County > History of Johnston County, Indiana. From the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with a short history of the Northwest, the Indiana territory, and the state of Indiana > Part 87
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but at the time services began to be held by ministers of the Chris- tian Church, it was extinct. Among the early members of the Bluff Creek congregation were Henry Brown, Mary Brown, Daniel Brag, Lydia Boaz, Jacob Sutton, Abigail Sutton, William Dunn, Christina Dunn, John Warren and wife, Barbara Tresslar, Valen- tine Tresslar, Mary Tresslar, Henry J. Tresslar, and others whose names cannot be recalled. Elders William Irwin, James Fawcett, John B. New and J. L. Jones, ministered to the congregation during the early years of its history, and later, it enjoyed the labor of some of the leading preachers of the Reformation. For many years the old Baptist Church building served as a place of worship. It was removed to the village of Brownstown, in 1884, and thoroughly re- modeled, and greatly improved. The church has been a potent factor for good in the community, and is still in a flourishing con- dition, with an active membership of 105.
Bargersville Church .- The Church of Christ at Bargersville, was organized in a school-house near the village, April 7, 1861, by Elder J. R. Surface, twenty-eight persons comstituting the origi- nal membership. The first officers were the following: Elders, Willis Deer, George O. List and John Clore; deacons, Joseph Combs, Abraham Clore and Abner Clark; treasurer, Abraham Clore; clerk, John Clore. Since its organization the church has been ministered to from time to time, by the following preachers : Elders, John R. Surface, Asa Holingsworth, John C. Miller, James Blankenship, John Phillips, R. T. Brown, -- Huff, Henry, Aaron Walker, J. W. Connor, William Mullendore, Newton Wil- son, Thomas Lockhart, Elmore, and others. Present membership, 150. Present officers: Elders, W. V. King, John Clore, George V. List and Alfred S. Deer; deacons, John Parks, M. Clore and Landen Robards. Abaham Clore is treasurer, and John Clore, clerk. New Hope (White River Township) .- The New Hope Christian Church was organized December, 1883, in what is known as school-house No. 10, White River Township, Elder E. W. Darst officiating. About sixty-five members went into the organ- ization, and at the first meeting the following officers were duly elected : Elders, C. M. McCool, George W. Wyrick and R. J. John- son; deacons, W. H. Dresslar, W. F. Williams, J. W. Stewart and John Hardin: treasurer, David Glassburn; clerk, L. B. Zaring. The church has made commendable progress, numbering at this time about 135 communicants. Meetings are still held in the school-house, which has been fitted up for church purposes. Since its organization the society has been ministered to by the following pastors, in the order named: Elders, George W. Smith, Irwin Young, John C. Miller and S. R. Wilson.
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Christian Chapel (Union Township). - This society was or- ganized at the Beech Grove Church, Hensley Township, in Janu- ary, 1876, by Elder A. Elmore. The original membership was eighteen; present membership, about 125. In the fall of the above year, a frame house of worship was erected in Union Township, and since that time the congregation has been in prosperous condi- tion, with a steadily increasing membership. The first officers were I. L. Ragsdale, Benjamin Thompson and Frank Vandiver, deacons. Benjamin Thompson was also treasurer, and James Davis, secre- tary. The officers at this time ( ISSS) are as follows: Elders: John J. Vandiver, Robert Vandiver and Isaac Tumy. Deacons: J. K. Badgley, Harvey Miller, James B. Paris and Millard F. Kennedy. Treasurer: M. V. Taylor. Secretary: Rosalia A. Vandiver.
Mt. Pleasant Christian Church (White River Township) was organized on the 17th day of April, 1884, by Elders B. M. Blount and E. W. Darst, with a membership considerably in excess of sixty. The first meetings were held in a building formerly used by the Presbyterians. But the same year in which the organization was effected, a subscription was taken, resulting in the erection of the present beautiful temple of worship, in Section 28, which was formally dedicated the following fall. The membership has stead- ily increased and Mt. Pleasant, at this time, is one of the pros- percus Christian churches of the county, numbering over 100 communicants. A flourishing Sunday school is sustained throughout the year, and has already proved a valuable auxiliary to the church. The present pastor of Mt. Pleasant is Elder Wilson.
Young's Creek Church ( Christian Connection) .- This is an old organization, dating its history from about the year IS29 or 1830. It was founded by Elder Joseph Ashley, one of the earliest settlers on Young's Creek, and among the first members the fol- lowing names are the most familiar: Elijah Dawson and family, William Harter and wife, James Mitchell and wife, Samuel Daw- son and wife, Fleming Ifarter and wife, Lucinda Ware, Martha Williams and members of Elder Ashley's family. For some years meetings were held in private residences, but later a school-house about one mile north of the present building was secured for church purposes. A frame edifice a short distance north of the present house was erected about the year IS51 or 1852, and was used by the congregation until 1875. In the latter year the neat frame building in which the church now worships was erected, at a cost of $1,500. The following is a partial list of those who have served the church at different times: Elders, Joseph Ashley, Elijah Dawson, Henry White, Isaac Marshall, A. S. Downey. Peter Baker, John Carney, and the present incumbent, Rev. Mr. Threlkeld. Present member-
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ship, 100. Elders, S. T. Vandiver and John W. Abbott. Deacons, William Coy and Charles S. Legan. Trustees, W. E. Adams, Miles DeCoursey and Benjamin F. Williams. Superintendent of Sunday school, Newton Alexander.
Franklin Methodist Episcopal Church .- It is impossible to fix definitely the date of the organization of the Methodist Church in Franklin, as the records of the original class, if any were kept, are not accessible. It is known that the settlement in the county of a number of Methodist families secured the presence and atten- tion of traveling ministers, and doubtless led to the temporary formation of classes or societies, as they are called, and in that way unquestionably gave the church here a historical existence in a very early day, yet it is not at all certain that the denomination had any permanent footing in Franklin until about the year IS32. From the most reliable information obtainable, the first class ap- pears to have been organized in one of the above years, but mem- ory fails to recall the names of but two of the original members: W. W. Robinson and wife, parents of Rev. R. D. Rob- inson, D. D., of Indianapolis. For some years after the organi- zation, the class met for worship in the dwellings of the members, and later in neighboring school-houses, but the methods of the church in those early days were such that it is not possible now to give a reliable account of what it accomplished. Among those who were known to have been members in 1842, were the follow- ing: William Carson and wife, William Clark and wife, Sam- uel Hall and wife, James Donovan and wife, James Harvey and wife, Mckinney Johnson and wife, Andrew Lewis and wife, Zachariah Kelley and wife, William Robbins and wife, Abram Vestal and wife (colored), J. Hill (colored), Mrs. Mary Williams, John Bowen and wife, George Hunt and wife, C. Springer and wife, J. W. Dawson and wife, O. Fugua and wife, and Mrs. Williams. As already stated the first meet- ings were held in private residences and school-houses, but about the year 1844, a room in the county seminary was secured for church purposes, and here the congregation worshiped until I847- 48. The increase in membership in the meantime foreshadowed the necessity of a building for the especial use of the church ; accord- ingly, in 1848, a lot on the corner of Jefferson Street between Mad- ison Street and Home Avenue, was procured, and in due time a substantial frame edifice, 50x60 feet in size, was erected thereon. The building was formally dedicated by Rev. E. R. Ames, after- ward Bishop Ames, and served the purpose for which it was in- tended until 1869. Owing to the absence of the early records of the church, it will be impossible to give a list of those who served
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as pastors prior to 1842. Since that year the society has been min- istered to from time to time, by the following pastors : Revs. J. V. R. Miller, Erastus Lathrop, Landy Hewens, James Mitchell, under whose ministration the first building was commenced, Mr. Shaffer, J. B. Lathrop, E. D. Long, William Montgomery, John V. R. Mil- ler, E. G. Tucker, John A. Brouse, Joseph Cotton, F. S. Potts, G. P. Jenkins, H. B. Collins, F. S. Woodcock, J. M. Crawford, M. L. Wells, J. H. Lozier, E. L. Dolph, M. N. Marlatt, J. K. Pye, R. D. Black, James S. Rager, J. W. Duncan, Reuben Andrus, D. D., and the present incumbent, Rev. S. A. Bright. Until 1850, the church was the head of Franklin circuit, which for a number of years included several appointments: Edinburg, Greenwood, Mt. Auburn, Salem, Waverly, Shiloh, Glade, Clarksburg, and others. Franklin was made a charge the above year, with Rev. J. B. Lathrop as the first stationed preacher.
During the pastorate of J. M. Crawford, in 1867, the church took the necessary steps toward the erection of a more commodious house of worship, and secured for the purpose a beautiful lot on the corner of Madison Street and Home Avenue. Work on the new building was pushed forward as radidly as circumstances would permit, but some time elapsed before the edifice was completed. It was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies, September, 1869, Bishop Simpson officiating. The building is a handsome brick structure, 50xSo feet in size, surmounted by a lofty and graceful spire, and represents a capital of $23.000. It is a very useful religious organization in the county, with an active membership of 450. The present pastor, Rev. S. A. Bright, possesses large ac- quirements and other advantages, eminently fitted for his field of action. A Sunday school was organized shortly after the church was established, and with but little interruption has since continued. At present it is in a flourishing condition, numbering 175.
Edinburg Methodist Episcopal Church .- But limited satisfac- tion was derived in tracing the early history of Methodism in the city of Edinburg, as the records of the first class have long since been lost or misplaced. According to the most reliable information it appears that a small class was organized about three miles north- west of Edinburg, on Sugar Creek, early in the twenties, and for some years public worship was held in private residences, princi- pally in the dwelling of an carly settler by the name of Gifford. The preaching was done by traveling missionaries, who visited the neighborhood at regular intervals. Unfortunately the names of these early pioneers of the Cross have been forgotten. Among the early members of the old Sugar Creek class are remembered Wiliam Freeman, Isaac Marshall, Arthur Robinson, Mr. Gifford,
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and members of their respective families, all of whom have long since passed from the " church militant to the church triumphant." One of the early preachers, but by no means the earliest, was Rev. Mr. Strange, who is remembered as a very devoted and earnest Christian man, and good pulpit orator. After meeting for two or three years on Sugar Creek, it was decided to move the organiza- tion to Edinburg, where services were afterward held in the private residence of William ITunt, one of the earliest Methodists of the town. Here the class continued to meet until the erection of a house of worship by the Edinburg Benevolent Society. after which services were regularly held in said building for several years, the congregation increasing in numbers and influence in the meantime. In 1846, a frame building for the especial use of the congregation, was erected on Walnut Street.
It was made a station some time in the fifties, and since 1860, has been ministered to by the following pastors in the order named, to-wit: Andrew Hester, David Stiver, John F. McClain, Jesse Brockway, Samuel Noble, William Mopin, John K. Pve, Enoch G. Wood, Robert Roberts. Francis Potts, Dr. Gelet, Robert Roberts, Henry E. Woods, Charles W. Lee, James W. Turner, and Mar- tin L. Wells, at the present time. The church prospered greatly un- der the ministry of Rev. J. K. Pye, whose labors were blessed by a large increase in the membership. Rev. Mr. Roberts also was instrumental in strengthening the church, and during the pastorates of Revs. Lee, Turner and Wood, large revivals were hell result- ing in many additions to the congregation. In 1869, a movement was inaugurated for the erection of a building of enlarged propor- tions. Accordingly, a beautiful lot on the corner of Main and Thompson streets was procured for the purpose. Work upon the new building was pushed forward as rapidly as circumstances would permit, and the structure fully completed, was formally dedicated in the year 1870. It is a handsome brick edifice, the main building, 45×70 feet in size, connected with a chapel, 30x50 feet, the whole representing a capital of $16,000. The seating capacity is fully Soo. The membership is now 280. A large and flourishing Sun- day school is sustained throughout the year.
Methodist Church (Williamsburg) .- This society is the succes- sor of an old class which was organized in the vicinity of the village as early as 1824, or IS25. Of the early history of the class but little is now known, save that meetings were held in private resi- dences for a number of years, and that it was disorganized some time prior to 1850. A re-organization was effected in 1853, with about thirty or forty members, and the same year witnessed the erection of a house of worship in the town, the one now used by
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the congregation. Among the ministers since the re-organization were Revs. Talbott, Rice, Woods, Fish, and later, Thomas Jones, Sydney Tinker, E. M. Farr, Thomas Brooks, George B. Young, J. B. Alley, Mr. Clouds, Thomas McClain, James Jamison and Isaac Turner. The church is quite feeble, numbering at this time only twenty-five members. The stewards are: Green B. Cobb and O. P. Burgett. The Sunday school, under the efficient superinten- dency of Daniel Britton, has an average attendance of about sixty scholars.
Glade Methodist Episcopal Church (Pleasant Township) .- The history of this flourishing society dates back to a very early period in the settlement of that part of Johnson County embraced within the present limits of Pleasant Township. The first meetings were held in what was known as the Glade school-house, near the eastern boundary of the township, as early as 1840, by Rev. Mr. Huffaker, who, the year following, organized a small class, among the first members of which were the following: John L. McClain and wife, Henry McClain and wife, Jesse McClain and wife, Jacob Peggs and wife, Sophia Cummings, Sarah J. Cummings, Elizabeth Cum- mings, Moses McClain and wife, Isabelle Peggs and Nancy Peggs. Of the original members all have passed from the scenes of their earthly labors, except Sarah J. McClain (nce Cummings ), Eliza- beth Lemon (nee Cummings ), and Jacob Peggs. The school-house was used for a meeting place six or eight years, after which a frame temple of worship was erected upon ground donated for the purpose by Elijah Cummings. This building answered well the purposes for which it was intended until the growth of the congre- gation made a house of larger proportions necessary, when a more commodious structure was erected on land of Benjamin Draper, a short distance east of the original place of worship. The present house is a frame edifice, well furnished, and represents a capital of about $2,000. Among the early pastors of the church are remem- bered Revs. J. V. R. Miller, - Havens, Winchester, J. W. McMullen and William Goodwin. The church is in a prosperous condition, with the names of nearly if not quite 200 members upon the records. Present pastor, Rev. C. W. Tinsley.
Greenwood Methodist Episcopal Church .*- In the summer of 1849 the pastor of Franklin circuit, Rev. Mr. Shafer, began stated preach- ing in the Baptist Church of Greenwood, and the year following, Rev. Elijah D. Long, pastor of the South Port circuit, continued preaching, and organized a class, among the early members of which were the following: M. Dashiel and wife, Mrs. Selch, Mrs. Prewett, George Noble, Louisa Noble, Noah Noble, Rev. Samuel
*Contributed by Rev. Samuel Noble.
55
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Noble, John Vorhies and wife, and others whose names are not now remembered. In the fall of 1850, Greenwood was made the head of a circuit, and Rev. John A. Winchester, at present a superannu- ated member of the Southeast Indiana Conference, appointed pastor. During his pastorate, the erection of a church building was undertaken, and prosecuted to successful completion in the early part of the conference year following. The building was a substantial frame edifice which stood near the central part of town, and cost about $2,500. In the fall of 1851, Rev. Jacob Whitman was appointed to the pastorate. For the conference years of 1852-53-54, Rev. J. W. T. McMullen served as pastor, with Rev. Strange Sinclair as assistant the second year. Rev. Sinclair came next. Succeeding him came Rev. H. M. Boyd, in the fall of 1857. Others were, Revs. William K. Ream, W. R. Goodwin, L. Havens, A. Kennedy, J. M. Crawford, F. S. Turk, T. W. Jones, Samuel Langdon, D. C. Benjamin, A. H. Reat, Jesse Miller, W. S. Falkenburg. Rev. Samuel Noble was appointed in 1882, Rev. M. Falkenburg having been transferred to the Texas con- ference that year. In the fall of 1882, W. H. Wydman was ap- pointed pastor, serving until the fall of 1885, and was succeeded by Rev. Alonzo Murphy, who, in September, IS87, was followed by the present incumbent, Rev. C. W. Tinsley. In the spring of 1887, the society began the erection of a new house of worship, which was completed and dedicated December, ISS7. The build- ing stands in the northeast part of the town, and is one of the finest specimens of church architecture in Johnson County, representing a cost of $7,000. It is a beautiful gothic structure, built of brick, and will comfortably accommodate an audience of 700. Class leader, Vorhies Brand: assistant. William H. Bishop. The Sun- day school, under the auspices of the church, was organized in IS51, with M. Deshiel, superintendent.
Whiteland Methodist Episcopal Church .- The organization of which the present class of Whiteland is an outgrowth, was founded a number of years ago at the residence of Martha Lamasters, about three quarters of a mile southwest of the present site of the village of Whiteland. Among the early members were a Mr. Crawford, Mrs. Lamarters, Isaac Clem and wife, Creed Dawson and wife, and John Smith and wife. The first meetings were held at the residence of Mrs. Lamasters, and later a school-house about three miles southwest of Whiteland served the congregation for a place of worship. Early in the forties, a log house, especially for church purposes, was built a short distance west of the present site of Whiteland, and was known in early years by the name of Mt. Ver- non. It was used until the growth of the congregation made a
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more commodious building necessary, when a frame structure was erected, about two miles west, on the land of David Smith, and the name changed to Pleasant Grove Church. Here the congregation met and prospered until ISSI, at which time it was mutually agreed to erect a building in Whiteland, and move the organization to the village. Accordingly a beautiful frame edifice costing $2,000, was built that year, and since its completion the society has been mak- ing substantial progress in numbers and financial strength. For the first few years the church was an appointment of the Franklin cir- cuit, and later it was attached to the Greenwood circuit. The majority of the preachers mentioned in connection with the Green- wood class, ministered to the Whiteland church at different times. Pastor in charge at this time, Rev. C. W. Tinsley. Present mem- bership, 120.
Fair View Methodist Episcopal Church, White River Town- ship, formerly known as Pleasant Hill, was organized some time between 1830 and 1835. Of its early history little that is reliable is now known. The old Pleasant Hill society was kept up for several years, and accomplished much good in the community. A part of the class afterward withdrew and formed what is now the Mt. Auburn Church, and still later, the original society ceased to exist. Subsequently, a remnant of its former members re-organized, and taking subscriptions, succeeded in raising a building fund with which the present frame house of worship in Section 2S, was erected. Among the early members of the class were William K. Davis and wife, Joseph Smith and wife, Nicholas Orme and wife, and others. The present membership is nearly 100, and the church is reputed one of the flourishing appointments of South Port circuit.
MIt. Auburn Church .- As already stated the church is partly an out-growth of the old Pleasant Hill society, and dates its history from a very early day. Traveling ministers visited the neighbor- hood as long ago as IS34 and 1835, and preached in the dwellings of the settlers, and about that time a small class was organized among the early members, of which are remembered the following : John Surface, Eve Surface, Jesse Hughes, Nancy Hughes, William and Jane Harrell, Jane Ross, Amos and Polly Smith. About the year 1835 or 1836, the members of the class and others, erected a short distant east of the present church edifice, a small frame build- ing, the walls of which were made of mud. It served for church and school purposes, and for many years was familiarly known as the " Mud School-House." Here the congregation met until 184S, at which time the present church edifice in the eastern part of the township, Section II, was erected and dedicated. As orig- inally constructed, the building was a rough frame structure.
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JOHNSON COUNTY.
Changes were afterward made in the building, and it now surpasses the average country church in its appearance and appointments. Among the early pastors of the church, were Revs. Eli P. Farmer, John Myers, A. Beck, A. Beech, James Scott, John Powell, J. V. R. Miller, James Mitchell, Jacob Whiteman, Hensley, Lathrop, Havens, Bowman, Ray, Shafer and others. Originally, the class belonged to Franklin circuit, but about the year 1850, it was attached to Greenwood. As a class of the latter circuit, it was organized De- cember 21, 1850, by Rev C. W. Ruter, presiding elder, and J. S. Winchester, preacher in charge. Since 1850, it has enjoyed the labors of the following ministers: Revs. J. W. T. McMullen, S. W. Sinclair, N. M. Boyer, W. R. Goodwin, L. Havens, A. Kennedy, J. M. Crawford, F. S. Turk, T. W. Jones, S. Langdon, D. C. Ben- jamin, A. R. Reat, Jesse Miller, W. S. Falkenburg, W. H. Wyd- man, A. Murphy, and the present incumbent, C. W. Tinsley. The society has an active membership of over 150.
Methodist Episcopal Church (Trafalgar) .- This society is the . successor of the Old Pleasant Grove Church, which was organized in the northwest part of Nineveh Township as early as the year 1827. A number of the pioneer settlers of that locality were Methodists, and the names familiar in the early history of the church were the Thompson's, Bailey's, Watkins', Day's, Carroll's, Law's and Wilson's. Early meetings were held in the cabins of the settlers, and later the Watkins school-house served as a place of worship until a building for the especial use of the congregation could be erected. Late in the thirties, Mr. Mullendore, an early settler in the northern part of the township, donated for a church building a lot about one-half mile north of the school-house, and in due time a frame edifice was erected thereon. Here the society met and flourished for a number of years, and at one time became a strong organization with over 100 members. James Hill, S. W. McNaughton and George F. Mullendore were among the early preachers and stated supplies of the church. Owing to deaths, re- movals and other causes, the membership gradually became weaker, until at one time meetings ceased nearly altogether. A re-organi- zation was effected in 1870, and the place of meeting changed to Trafalgar, where the same year a frame house of worship, costing the sum of $1,650, was erected. This building stands near the central part of the village, and affords a comfortable and commo- dious meeting place. Among the pastors of the church since its re-organization, have been the following: Revs. Tinker, McClain, Cloud, Young, Farr, Alley and Jamison. The pastor in charge at this time is Rev. Mr. Turner.
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